6 Round Mock Draft

The NFL Draft is still more than a month away, but with free agency’s initial burst over and the combine long since in the rear view mirror, it is the main thing fans have to look forward to. With that in mind, I present to you my 6 round 2014 mock draft. It was going to be 7 but after 215 picks, I got tired of researching and trying to figure out where players were likely to end up. I tried to consider the possibility of trades in this mock, and have noted trades accordingly. I only have a description for first round draftees, but there was a method to my madness all the way through round 6. My main caveats before delving into this: I guarantee I have at least half my picks wrong and there will be more than a few people complaining about their team’s selection.

Without further ado, here we go.

Round 1

Khalil Mack is the first overall pick in the 2014 draft.

1 – 1 – Houston: Khalil Mack, OLB, Buffalo

The Texans need a new QB, however the addition of Ryan Fitzpatrick plus the lackluster feel for the top QBs in the draft leads Houston to draft Khalil Mack with the first overall pick. Mack becomes an instant start and makes the pass rush of the Texans that much scarier.

2 – 2 – St. Louis: Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

The Rams want to trade out of this spot, but considering the top talent players are not QBs in this draft, their asking price is too high. Unable to move the pick, the Rams select Robinson to help beef up their Offensive Line.

3 – 3 – Jacksonville: Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina

Jacksonville needs a QB, however Clowney falling to them is too much to resist. Atlanta wants to trade up into this spot, but the asking price of this year’s 2nd and next year’s 1st is too much. Clowney joins a Jacksonville defensive that is quickly looking to improve.

4 – 4 – Cleveland: Blake Bortles, QB, UCF

Cleveland continues to say they are invested in Brian Hoyer, but the fact remains they need a franchise QB. While no QB in the 2014 draft is an Andrew Luck, Bortles has enough potential to be the first QB taken in the draft and likely will be the day 1 starter in Cleveland.

Big surprise here, as Atlanta loses out on all 4 of their main targets due to the high price of trading up. Not wanting to grab Anthony Barr this high, Atlanta takes a trade with Pittsburgh that gives them something, all be it not as much as they’d like. Pittsburgh gets the top corner in the draft as they work to rebuild their aging defense.

7 – 7 – Tampa Bay: Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame

Up until 7 days ago, this pick was Taylor Lewan, but then he was charged with assault and his stock began to slip. Tampa decides to instead go with Martin to begin rebuilding their offensive line which Lovie Smith has done everything he can to gut this offseason.

8 – 8 – Minnesota: Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville

The Vikings are a bit surprised to see Bridgewater fall to them here, but gobble him up just the same. Bridgewater’s selection likely spells the end of Christian Ponder’s time in Minnesota and also means Matt Cassel has the potential to be a highly paid backup.

9 – 9 – Buffalo: Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

Buffalo practically sprints to the podium to grab Sammy Watkins at #9. Earlier renditions had Watkins going as high as #2, but teams addressing other needs suddenly gives the Buffalo a second legit target for EJ Manuel to toss the ball to.

10 – 10 – Detroit: Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

Detroit wanted Dennard here, but settle for Gilbert as they do not see the Pittsburgh trade coming. The signings of Ihedigbo helped to fill the Lions need at safety, and Gilbert gives the Lions an instant upgrade at the CB position.

11 – 11 – Tennessee: Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA

Tennessee is Johnny Manziel’s last chance of being picked high, but when they select Anthony Barr, he begins his long slide in this draft. The Titans are moving to a 3-4 defense and need an OLB that can play the rush linebacker role. Barr looks to be that player in for them.

The Giants improve their D-Line with Aaron Donald out of Pitt.

12 – 12 – NY Giants: Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh

The Giants pick up the off season’s fastest riser and instantly replace Linval Joseph on their defensive line. Donald provides the Giants with a big, strong body that can push the inside of the pocket and get pressure up front.

13 – 13 – St. Louis: Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

The Rams considered drafting Watkins at #2, but are perfectly happy to “settle” for Evans at #13. Evans was Johnny Manziel’s favorite target at Texas A&M, and his size will help him compete against the larger corners of the Seattle Seahawks.

14 – 14 – Chicago: Hasean Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama

The Bears traded Julius Peppers for Jared Allen, and now get the pleasure of adding the draft’s best safety and not having to rely on M.D. Jennings to start.

15 – 15 – Atlanta: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan

Initially I had Lewan falling much further in the draft, all the way to Carolina at 28, but I realized there’s a few teams he wouldn’t get past even with the charges he’s facing. Atlanta drafts a player that instantly becomes the starter at RT, and can possibly transition to LT in 2 years, allowing the Falcons to release Sam Baker.

16 – 16 – Dallas: Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame

Dallas is in a lot of financial trouble, and they are going to have to start adding players through the draft and not through free agency to fix the problem. The the Cowboys signed Melton and McClain, they still decide to add one more big body to their defensive line in the form of Notre Dame DT Louis Nix. Nix has the build to be a 3-4 NT, and gives the Cowboys the option to use McClain and Melton as 3-4DEs.

17 – 17 – TRADE Green Bay gets 1-17, Baltimore gets 1-21 & 3-21.

The Packers trade up to get Louisville’s Calvin Pryor #17 overall.

Green Bay: Calvin Pryor, FS, Louisville

Afraid that Baltimore is going to draft the safety they prize, the Packers instead make them a strong offer and move up to grab Calvin Pryor. While they could have sat at 21 and hoped Mosley fell to them, the Packers decide to be aggressive and try to improve their defensive backfield.

18 – 18 – NY Jets: Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG, UCLA

The Jets decide to strengthen the middle of their offensive line by grabbing the draft’s top guard, and also try to provide some better protection for Geno Vick, I mean Michael Smith, I mean…oh whoever they decide to start at QB.

19 – 19 – Oakland: Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State

You know that kid that expects to have their name called and starts to stand up, only to hear someone else’s name instead? That will be Manziel here. The Raiders decide to take Derek Carr to compete with Matt Schaub, and leave lots of people wondering “If Oakland won’t take him, who will?”

20 – 20 – Arizona: Jason Verrett, CB, TCU

Arizona sign Cromartie and has Patrick Peterson, but decide to add Verrett as the nickel back and as Cromartie’s replacement if his 1 year deal doesn’t work out.

21 – 21 – Baltimore: Cyrus Kouandjio, OT, Alabama

Baltimore let Michael Oher walk in free agency and are able to get another big SEC boy to replace him. There are some concerns about Kouandjio’s health, but the Ravens OL was bad enough that they take the risk and grab the big guy for Alabama.

22 – 22 – Philadelphia: Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State

Shazier gives the Eagles a possible replacement for Trent Cole, and also is will be a likely upgrade over Connor Barwin.

23 – 23 – Kansas City: Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina

Eric Ebron slips all the way to Kansas City at #23.

While wide receiver is the Chiefs biggest need, Ebron falling all the way to the is too much to resist. The Chiefs give Alex Smith another target and Andy Reid dances like the Kool-Aid man after bursting through a wall.

24 – 24 – Cincinnati: Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri

The Bengals lost Michael Johnson this off season and desperately need to replace him. Ealy may not be the best defensive end in the draft, but he will serve as a viable replacement during the 2014 campaign.

25 – 25 – TRADE Houston gets 1-25, San Diego gets 2-1, 4-1, & 6-1.

Houston: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M

Johnny Football finally comes off the board, as the Texans trade up with the Chargers to select him. Manziel will enter into a QB competition with Ryan Fitzpatrick, but likely will only need to be average to win the starting role.

26 – 26 – Cleveland: David Yankey, OG, Stanford

Cleveland got their QB at pick #4, and now they move to protect him at #26. Yankey was considered the top guard in the draft before Su’a-Filo’s film got more review. Paired with Joe Thomas, the Browns will have a strong OL in 2014.

New Orleans hopes Kyle Fuller can fill the shoes of Jabari Greer.

27 – 27 – New Orleans: Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech

The release of Jabari Greer has not yet been addressed by New Orleans, and while Kyle Fuller is not the best corner in the draft, he’s a sound player that can be effective against the run or the pass.

28 – 28 – Carolina: Marqise Lee, WR, USC

Carolina needs receivers, and Marqise Lee would instantly become the #1 receiver for the Panthers. They would still need to find at least one more receiver, plus find someone to protect Cam Newton’s blindside, but Carolina realizes they are in a big hole heading into the draft.

29 – 29 – New England: Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State

Vince Wilfork reportedly wants out, and while Jernigan isn’t as big as Wilfork, he could still turn out to be his heir apparent on the Patriots defensive line.

30 – 30 – San Francisco: Odell Beckham, WR, LSU

Why a WR when the 49ers have Crabtree and Boldin? 1) Boldin is streaky and can go cold for long stretches. 2) Crabtree averaged 4 catches for 56 yards in the 5 games after he returned from injury. 3) The 49ers biggest need, center, would be more than a reach at this pick.

31 – 31 – Denver: Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State

Champ Bailey is gone from Denver and the Broncos need someone that can be across from Aquib Talib when the season starts. Chris Harris is unlikely to be back for the start of the regular season, and Roby could step into the starting role if needed.

32 – 32 – Seattle: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State

The Seahawks main weakness is Wilson not having top talent to throw the ball to. Golden Tate is now in Detroit and Sidney Rice was cut, giving him two less targets. Cooks will need to be a starter his first day in Seahawks camp.

Speaking of wars and stupid people .... the other night I was joking around with some of my buddies (all southerners) and explained to them the Confederates (civil war) were basically the French army of the west. 0-life. They didn't find it as humorous as I did. I found it to be a real knee slapper.

@MNvikeinNC Not necessarily that they were cowards or stupid like the French.... They just didn't have the rails and supply or factory power of the North. the longer that war Raged the weaker the South got.

@Preparation_A@bee pee yeah but on top of that.. the guy is literally dumber than a pile of Rocks... so sure he has a good body.. but as soon as he opens his mouth i'd hope women would just kill themselves rather than mate with him.. unfortunately that didn't/ doesn't happen

About Jeremy Tucker

Jeremy Tucker is a life long Atlanta sports fan living in the heart of NFC North country. He grew up in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia and attended college in Southern Georgia before moving to Northern Illinois in 2011. He can be reached at [email protected]